Powers of Attorney, Inheritance Tax, Administration of Estates, Will and Trust Lawyers

Wills

Perhaps understandably, many of you may be put off making a will - but the sooner it is done, the sooner you can be sure that your family will be properly protected, your estate will be handled as you wish and the tax you will pay will be kept to a minimum.

Living Wills (Advanced Directives)

A Living Will gives instructions about your future medical treatment if you become unable to communicate those wishes and therefore cannot take part in decisions about such medical treatment. Any competent adult is entitled to refuse medical treatment and a Living Will gives directions in advance. Living Wills are also referred to as an ‘Advance Desicion' in legal literature.

Trusts

A Trust is the formal transfer of assets to a small group of people or to a Trust Company known as the trustees. Those trustees hold the assets for the benefit of others. If you set up a trust in your lifetime this is done by a trust deed and is often referred to as a Settlement. If you create a trust in your Will to take effect after your death then this is usually known as a Will Trust. The unique character of a trust is that the trustees are the legal owners but the beneficiaries are the beneficial owners.

Powers of Attorney

There may also come a time when, for one reason or another, you are not able to deal with your everyday affairs - and we can draw up a suitable power of attorney that enables someone you trust to take care of your financial matters and ensure your comfort, security and peace of mind.

Administration of Estates

Administering your estate and putting your Will into practice is the function of our probate department, our team of expert specialists will guide your beneficiaries through a sometimes complicated process, advise executors on their duties, explain the choices available, rearrange the estate to save tax and generally take care of all the necessary legal work.

Inheritance Tax

Inheritance Tax (IHT) no longer affects only the wealthy. Under current law no IHT is payable on death if the whole estate passes to your spouse. Therefore, any IHT planning is for the benefit of the next generation or other heirs. For most couples, what is of paramount importance is that the survivor is properly provided for. Many believe that they must leave all their assets to each other and IHT will have to be paid by their family. With proper IHT planning you can save your beneficiaries a significant amount of IHT without depriving the survivor of being able to live comfortably.

For further information contact an office near you.